Knowledge of teachers and students in physical education’s faculties regarding first‐aid measures for tooth avulsion and replantation

Abstract

The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the knowledge of undergraduate students and teachers at all physical education courses in the city of Belo Horizonte (Brazil) regarding first-aid measures to be taken following tooth avulsion as well as the need for the preventative use of mouth guards. The sample consisted of 442 individuals (Group 1: 53 teachers; Group 2: 389 undergraduate students). Data collection was carried out with the administration of a questionnaire with both objective and subjective questions addressing definitions, first-aid measures in cases of avulsion and tooth replantation, together with an assessment of the use and indication of mouth guards. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. The results revealed that 45.1% of the participants in both groups knew what a tooth replantation was. However, 91.6% judged themselves incapable of performing an immediate replantation. Among the overall sample, 45.9% has no knowledge on first-aid measures regarding tooth avulsion; sending the patient with an avulsed tooth to the dentist was the most often cited measure (42.3%). Immediate replantation was cited by 20.6% of the individuals in Group 1 and 5.9% of the individuals in Group 2 (P = 0.009). Regarding the storage medium, 17.1% of the individuals would keep the avulsed tooth in a dry medium. The majority of participants (58.3%) stated that the ideal extra-alveolar time for replantation was more than 360 min. Although 74% of the overall sample stated having knowledge of mouth guards, few reported making use or indicating the use of this piece of equipment. The present study revealed that the majority of teachers and undergraduate students of physical education courses do not have adequate knowledge regarding first-aid measures for tooth avulsion and do not use or indicate the use of mouth guards during sports activities.